The First Thanksgiving

'Tis said that the first Thanksgiving feast was celebrated in sixteen twenty-one. 'Twas the Pilgrims' first bountiful harvest so they decided to have some fun! (That was the genesis of church potlucks that are popular to this very day, And the origin of that American addiction, the all-you-can-stuff-ten-buck buffet!) They invited Indian friends but with wary eye kept their blunderbusses handy, In case the guests and their squaws might become sozzled with too much brandy! The Injuns brought canoes full of maize, deer and fishes from Cape Cod Bay. (Puritan ladies shyly tittered at the breechcloths worn by braves on that day!) The Pilgrims had diligently tilled God's good earth to grow vittles for the feast, And prowled forest and waterway on the hunt for fowl and four-footed beast! Tables groaned with grub - the menu would've done the Waldorf-Astoria proud. There was little talk 'cept for an occasional "pass the salt" from that ravenous crowd! There were apple, peach and punkin pies and heaps of smoked and roasted turkey. Also, fiery brandy, cider, barbequed beef, lima beans and piles of venison jerky! Succotash, sweet pertaters, peas and turnips were heaped on pewter plates. Gluttonous souls were heard to groan and appeared to be in desperate straits! Missing was the dreaded green bean casserole that hadn't been concocted yet, Since Campbell's mushroom soup, an essential ingredient, they could not get! 'Twas on that notable day that the strutting and hapless turkey made its debut! (Oft I've mused - did the Palefaces and the Redskins play a football game too?) Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired © All Rights Reserved